Women have been urged to unite in strength, embrace empowerment, and pursue their purpose for greater impact in their families, communities, and the nation.
Delivering a keynote address entitled: “Empowered for a Purpose: Women Leading with Vision and Impact” at the 2025 August Meeting of Ukwa-East women, held at Central School, Obohia Ndoki, Ukwa-East LGA, Abia State, Dame Ngozi Nwagbara, Ph.D., stressed that true empowerment goes beyond confidence.
“Empowerment is about having the tools, the support, and the freedom to make choices and the courage to act on them. It starts from within but is fueled by opportunity, education, and representation. When women are seen, heard, and supported, they rise,” she said.
Dame Nwagbara, a Commissioner in the Abia State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), noted that empowerment becomes even more meaningful when driven by purpose, which she described as the force that turns “power into progress.”
The immediate past Chairman, Ukwa-East LGA, highlighted global icons such as Malala Yousafzai, who champions education for girls, and Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, who combined environmental advocacy with rural women’s empowerment.
According to her, purpose does not have to be global in scale but can be lived out in personal and community spheres—such as raising strong daughters, mentoring younger women, or demonstrating ethical leadership in the workplace.
Nwagbara further explained that the ripple effect of women’s empowerment is transformational, as empowered women not only rise but also lift others with them. She emphasized the importance of mentorship and visibility, adding that “seeing someone who looks like you, leading with integrity, tells the next generation: you belong here too.”
In her call to action, she urged the women of Ukwa-East to continue supporting one another, leading with vision, and remembering that their strength is most valuable when it serves a greater purpose.
The Educationist also commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, describing him as a gender-friendly leader who has strategically included women in his administration, thereby attracting more support for his government.
